Travel Secrets by V

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An absolute MUST when visiting Cancun, Mexico. Cenotes usually occur near coastlines or on islands but the Yucatan peninsula has more than anywhere else on earth! A cenote is a natural sink hole that has water on the bottom. There are over 6000 of them. Swimming in one of the most amazing experiences you will have. They are absolutely gorgeous and the water is crystal clear and 77 F year round.

All Mayan temples are built next to cenotes so make sure you stop at one to cool off after visiting the temples.  Most guided tours will take you to swim in one after the take you to the temples.

How were they created?

65 million years ago this area was an ocean. The marine life such as algae, plants and animals died and accumulated on the bottom of the sea floor. Over time the pressure from the ocean solidified this into limestone. During the ice age, the water level dropped and one of the largest limestone platforms in the world emerged.

Rain water flowed through the limestone and carved caves and tunnels as it made it way into the ocean. The sea level was so low that the caverns below were dry and formed stalagmites and stalactites. Some of the roofs caved in revealing the cave below. Eventually the water levels rose again and the caves and tunnels filled with fresh water creating the cenotes we see today.

Name derives from the Mayan word “ts’onot”. A location where ground water is located. Cenotes were extremely important for the Mayas. There are barely any lakes or rivers in the Yucatan peninsula. The lakes are very murky and home to crocodiles. The only source of potable water was from cenotes so the Mayans built their cities around them. They believed the cenotes were passages to the underworld of Xibalba. So they sent their offerings to the gods of Xibalba by throwing them in the cenotes.  They would mostly throw valuable objects but in some they sacrificed humans as well.

Before entering some cenotes, you may have a Mayan shaman bless you and cleanse your soul before you enter. He will burn incense and say words in maya as he performs a ceremony. Please make sure that you rinse all chemicals, sunscreen, insect repellent off your skin before entering. The water in the cenotes is extremely pure. It has been filtered through the rocks and is very clear. Please help keep it this way.

Tours

Be safe and make sure that you have travel insurance before visiting a cenote. They are sinkholes and the access in can be very slippery.

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